Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Happy National Teacher's Day!



Happy National Teacher's Day!!


Don't forget to wish the teachers in your life a Happy National Teacher's Day today!  And don't forget to thank them for all the wonderful work that they do!

Monday, May 7, 2012

Reflections on the Blogging From A to Z Challenge







So this year I decided to do the A to Z Challenge.   I had many reasons for doing it.  Both here and on my other blog. While my other blog was completely random, this one had a set theme.  I wanted all my posts to be about something school related.  I don't know if I achieved that goal or not.  I think some of my posts were stretching that theme a little bit. Some fell more into the volunteering category than the school category.  But overall I think I did a good job.
Midway through the challenge my wonderful blog set up decided to fail me.  Fortunately I had been checking my blogs daily to make sure my posts didn't have issues.  So I noticed right away when my posts on my other blog appeared with a problem, but the ones here weren't showing up.  Oh that sooo stressed me out.  I had my blogs for this one ready to go up a week in advance for each one.  No that wasn't anywhere near the time schedule I had originally planned, but still it gave me time to freak out about my other blog's posts.  But now with my posts not showing up, and with me trying to have posts go up on time for The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards...UGH....I was freaked.  Not only did I feel I was failing in a commitment I made to myself...but I felt I was letting the kids that were nominated for that award down as well...which to me was a hundred times worse....But somehow I was able to pull through.  Since until about mid April I didn't have a stable Internet connection, some days all I could do was sign on and hit post on the A to Z posts I'd had already written, but I still got it all done.
On a brighter, less stressful note  I also met a lot of wonderful new bloggers.  Mostly through there comments that they left here.  Which thank you all for visiting...and thank you all for your encouraging comments...I don't always get a lot of comments on this blog, so I'm always happy to read them.  It reminds me that people are reading what I write, and while it isn't always a whole lot of people, even just reaching and encouraging or inspiring one person to try something new to help out their community is worth it.
As for my commenting back.  I didn't always get a chance to leave meaningful comments or even acknowledge comments that were left here. (I plan to try to remedy that in the upcoming weeks)  Sometimes it was my limited Internet time, and sometimes it was just because I let myself get lost exploring the new blogs I found.  (definitely go check out some of the other bloggers reflections here at the A to Z Challenge site)
I don't know if I will do the A to Z challenge for this blog next year.  I want to, I really do. I feel there are a lot of other topics out there for certain letters that I could, and should, share. I would love to hear your thoughts on the posts I did for this years challenge. Do you think I did a good job for each letter? or are there other topics that you think would have fit a letter better? and if so I'd love to hear what those are too. (I can't promise I won't steal them for next year. Just warning you. But I will try to remember where the ideas came from and give credit where credit is due)
Were you inspired by any of my posts? Did any cause you to do something that you might not have done before? Either for your community or your school.
Thanks again to all who followed me on this wild ride this month.  I hope you enjoyed it.  Even with some of the technical issues, I enjoyed it.  'til next year. (but hopefully before!)

AimeeKay

The Prudential Spirit of Community National Award Ceremony



Don't forget to check out out The Prudential Spirit of Community National Award Ceremony it starts today at 12:30 PM EST! Click below to go there! 


Sunday, May 6, 2012

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards Honorees from Wyoming



I'd like to introduce you to the Honorees from Wyoming for The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards.  The program also chooses anywhere from 2 to 10 runners up in each state.  They are named Distinguished Finalists and receive a bronze medallion. I will be listing them as well underneath the Honorees.
I will give a short description of what the Honoree has been nominated for and then you can click on their name to find out more! 

Here are the State Honorees:


Megan is in seventh grade.  She has been volunteering through her school's IMPACT group as well as with her family.  She has helped at animal shelters and helped to raise money for breast cancer.  As well as making things for senior citizens and helping homeless shelters.


and


Rebel is a senior.  She raised more than $2000 for her local American Legion Post by raising and auctioning off two hogs to her local community.




The Distinguished Finalists are:

Caleb Brackett-enhancing community resources
Christina Silvey-teaching,tutoring and mentoring other young people





Let's hear it for all this amazing kids!


The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards Honorees from Wisconsin



I'd like to introduce you to the Honorees from Wisconsin  for The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards.  The program also chooses anywhere from 2 to 10 runners up in each state.  They are named Distinguished Finalists and receive a bronze medallion. I will be listing them as well underneath the Honorees.
I will give a short description of what the Honoree has been nominated for and then you can click on their name to find out more! 

Here are the State Honorees:


Jordyn Schara
'
Jordyn is a junior.  She started an organization that has helped cause over 376,000lbs of prescription drugs to be collected and disposed of safely, at the same time helping to warn teens about the dangers of abusing these same drugs.


and

Zach Harmon

Zach is in seventh grade.  He has started "Z-Drives", that he holds on his birthday.   These drives collect food donations for local food pantries.




The Distinguished Finalists are:

Hunter Evenson-enhancing community resources
Adam Hastings-enhancing community resources
Brian Swiggum-enhancing community resources
Matthias Olson-feeding the hungry
Makenzie Muehler-helping to raise awareness of human trafficking
Paige Bani-promoting tolerance or diversity





Let's hear it for these great kids!


The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards Honorees from West Virginia



I'd like to introduce you to the Honorees from West Virginia for The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards.  The program also chooses anywhere from 2 to 10 runners up in each state.  They are named Distinguished Finalists and receive a bronze medallion. I will be listing them as well underneath the Honorees.
I will give a short description of what the Honoree has been nominated for and then you can click on their name to find out more! 

Here are the State Honorees:


Emily is a sophomore.  She started "Sports For a Cure".  Her organization helps teach breast cancer awareness through school sporting events.


and 


Katherine is in eighth grade.  She is volunteering constantly in her area.  From helping in pantry drives and visiting nursing homes, to organizing fundraisers. She is always involved in some form of charity work.



And the Distinguished Finalists are:
Catherine Wells-aiding the disadvantaged
Wesley Davis-helping raise awareness of agriculture in the U.S.


Let's hear it for these awesome kids!



The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards Honorees from Washington



I'd like to introduce you to the Honorees from Washington for The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards.  The program also chooses anywhere from 2 to 10 runners up in each state.  They are named Distinguished Finalists and receive a bronze medallion. I will be listing them as well underneath the Honorees.
I will give a short description of what the Honoree has been nominated for and then you can click on their name to find out more! 

Here are the State Honorees:


Jesse is a junior.  He formed 'Inland NW Baby'.  It is a group that has, through diaper drives, to help provide new diapers for families in need, who were having to reuse old diapers.

and



Skyler is in sixth grade.  Over the past five years she has helped to donate over 2,000 coats to her local Salvation Army Christmas Center.  




The Distinguished Finalists are:

Diana Backman-aiding the disadvantaged
Susan Bengtson-aiding the disadvantaged
Joel Bervell-aiding the disadvantaged
Alexander Pizzirani-encouraging reading and literacy
Amanda Washburn-helping and comforting the sick
Jillian Roels-teaching, tutoring and mentoring other young people






Let's hear it for these wonderful kids!